They have added that magazine locking device to a forbidden list of modifications. Unless the magazine is welded shut you cannot have it.
sorry but that is NOT correct.
glockman19, you have the following options:
I. buy an off-list lower (OLL, not on the CA DOJ banned list)
II. decide which route to go:
1) normal detachable magazine and NO evil features, i.e.
- pistol grip
- thumbhole/folding/telescopic stock
- flash suppressor, grenade launcher or flare launcher
- forward pistol grip
or
2) fixed magazine which can have said evil features but still has to be in compliance with federal law
if you go with option 1), it is helpful to get a
MonsterMan Grip. makes for very comfortable shooting.
if you go with option 2), you can fix the magazine either by using a
a)
Prince50 Mag-Lock kit which means the mag is fixed and you use an
extended take-down pin to break the rifle open and reload the magazine from the top while in the receiver
or
b) a
bullet-button mag-lock kit which means the mag requires a tool, such as a bullet as defined by CA law, to remove the mag and replace it with a full one.
both options are in compliance with CA law.
if you haven't done so already, review the
california assault weapon faq and then start reading the threads in
calguns forum about all this stuff.
to answer your question regarding brands, you're likely to get 100 different answers. everybody has a different combo of lower/uppers, a different upper configuration, different accessories, etc.
you can go stag upper/lower, but you don't have to. one website you may want to check out is
del-ton simply because they have a great way of letting you totally customize your rifle kit with the exact parts you want.
another thing you can do is check out
this thread of people's CA legal AR configs and figure out what you like.
hope this is helpful. have fun with your AR build.
